The Road Less Traveled

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WAITING FOR MY WATER TO BOIL

I watch the sunlight of early morning turn the clouds soft pink. Next to me is my tail-wagging, wet-nosed, furry best friend Kahlúa. Steam begins to billow from my stove, and I scream at the top of my lungs, “YES!”

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A QUESTION

had been unfolding in my mind. It blossomed and multiplied, like an explosion of dandelion seeds set free by an exhalation. The questions stemmed from my decision to leave my comfortable, secure, and unsatisfying job in pursuit of a more meaningful way of life.

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WHEN I WAS TEN YEARS OLD,

I was diagnosed with kidney disease. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I saw my disease as a burden that kept me from a normal life. I wanted normalcy, and I thought that a steady job and a 401k was my path to happiness. Then, Kahlúa came into my life and changed my perspective.

Trevor DeHaas is a self-taught adventure photographer with a passion for traveling and the outdoors. His companion Kahlúa, a Catahoula-Leopard Dog mix, inspired Trevor’s love for photography, travel, and adventure. Before Kahlúa came into his life, Trevor took his health for granted in an effort to ignore his kidney disease. He pursued his idea of normalcy, which included working a corporate job and living in the city. With Kahlúa, he began exploring the outdoors, learning to stand up paddleboard and go backpacking. Trevor began taking pictures of their adventures with his phone and fell in love with photography. Trevor also realized that when he was outside with Kahlúa, he didn’t think about his kidneys. He wasn’t ignoring his kidney disease, like before. While he used to take his health for granted, Kahlúa motivated Trevor to take better care of himself so that he could be here for her. In 2017, Trevor quit his secure-but-unsatisfying job and the duo traveled around North America, hiking snow-covered mountains, soaking in natural hot springs, and paddleboarding on glacial lakes. Using their unique photos, Trevor and Kahlúa hope to inspire others to fall in love with the great outdoors and to spend more time with their four-legged companions. They currently live in Santa Cruz, and Trevor is on a waiting list for a kidney donation. Anyone interested in becoming a live kidney donor for Trevor can begin the process here: http://stanfordhealthcarelivedonors.org/.

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KAHLÚA INSPIRED ME

to venture away from my warm cubicle and constant supply of hot coffee. Together, we spent more and more time outside - paddleboarding, longboarding, and hiking.

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I BEGAN DOCUMENTING

our outdoor adventures with my camera and discovered my passion for photography. In 2017, I quit my job and spent 8 months on the road with Kahlúa, exploring the outdoors and photographing our experiences.

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AT THE END

of our road trip, we settled in California. I went back to work full-time, but I learned that, for me, a fulfilling life is not waiting at the top of the corporate ladder. It is outdoors with Kahlúa.

KAHLÚA SHOWED ME

that my kidney disease was never a burden. It is a gift. She taught me that normalcy is not my life’s path. I was always meant for the road less traveled.

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IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF,

my kidney function has dropped from 42% to 16%. I’m now eligible for a kidney transplant and am currently looking for a live donor. While I wait for a transplant, Kahlúa and I go on road trips. We go paddleboarding and backpacking.

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WHEN KAHLÚA BECAME MY CO-PILOT,

she navigated us to The Road Less Traveled and we haven’t looked back. I used to tell myself that “someday,” I would follow my passions. I know now that “someday,” I won’t be able to do all of the things we love to do. That’s why I appreciate what we can do together right now.